Aryna Sabalenka broke down in tears under her towel after losing the Australian Open final to Madison Keys.
The world No 1 smashed her racket on the ground in frustration after succumbing 3-6, 6-2, 5-7 to the American.
It denied Sabalenka a third consecutive triumph at the Aussie Open after she won the tournamant in 2034 and 2024.
The Belarussian had to reach the final the hard way, beating her close friend Paula Badosa in the semi-finals, but could not muster the power to beat one of the biggest hitters in the game.
After congratulating Keys, Sabalenka covered her face with her towel in front of the 15,000 fans on Rod Laver Arena before storming off to her locker room.
This was Keys’ first Grand Slam final since 2017 and her first Major win, marking a shock against the heavily fancied Sabalenka.
Keys, the world No 19, becomes the fourth-oldest woman to win her first Grand Slam crown at the age of 29.
More to follow.
